Murder accused to appear in court

News Desk

A man charged with murdering his mother, a well-known Portstewart hairdresser, will have to appear in person in court later this month for a preliminary enquiry, a judge said on Monday.

Appearing via video link at Coleraine Magistrates Court, Alun Kinney Evans, (33), of Knockancor Drive, Portstewart, is alleged to have killed his mum on June 4 last year.

Margaret Evans, (69), also known as Margo, was found beaten at her home in the seaside town.

After his arrest, Alun Evans had previously been an inpatient in the secure mental health unit at Knockbracken Hospital in Belfast.

However, he was moved to Maghaberry Prison in December when the Mental Health Order detaining him expired.

Speaking from Maghaberry Prison on Monday, where he is on remand, bearded Evans - wearing grey track suit bottoms and a grey sweatshirt with a ‘Super Mario’ motif - confirmed he could see and hear the court.

A defence solicitor asked if the preliminary enquiry could be held via video link as his client has “certain psychological, psychiatric, issues”.

District Judge Liam McNally said the accused would have to attend court in person for the preliminary enquiry as he did not believe it could be done via video link.